A 22-year-old man in custody at Roosevelt County Detention Center died Tuesday afternoon following a suicide attempt, County Manager Charlene Hardin said. Darrell Lewis was flown to University Medical Center in Lubbock about 9:30 Monday night, Hardin said. Hardin said she would not provide any additional information until she receives an incident report from jail […]

Robin Fornoff Negotiations with two finalists for the Curry County jail administrator’s position were authorized Tuesday by commissioners. County Manager Lance Pyle said he and County Attorney Stephen Doerr will begin negotiating with Gerry Billy as the first choice and Michael Williams as the second choice. Billy is a retired six-term (24 years) sheriff of […]

Robin Fornoff A sometimes frustrating nine-hour marathon meeting of Curry County commissioners ended with what seemed like more questions than answers for fixing problems at the troubled jail. County Manager Lance Pyle presented commissioners with a lengthy report of problems needing immediate attention at the jail, most of them costly. He also suggested several ways […]

Robin Fornoff Four candidates on Curry County’s short list for jail administrator face the jury today. County Manager Lance Pyle and six members of an panel appointed by Pyle are expected to complete candidate interviews by the end of the day and make their recommendation to replace former Administrator Keith Norwood, who resigned Sept. 13. […]

Freedom New Mexico It appears more than one Curry County jail employee has been fired and others have been either demoted, suspended or hit with salary reductions. The information was part of a brief press release issued Friday by County Manager Lance Pyle. Pyle declined to identify employees affected, citing personnel policy. He also declined […]

Freedom New Mexico Four finalists including Interim Administrator Tori Sandoval were named Friday for the position of jail administrator, according to Curry County Manager Lance Pyle. Pyle identified the other three candidates as Gerry D. Billy of Newark, Ohio; Michael D. William of Selah, Wash., and Joe Sprunk of Albuquerque. Pyle also announced a committee […]

Freedom New Mexico Four finalists including Interim Administrator Tori Sandoval were named Friday for the position of jail administrator, according to Curry County Manager Lance Pyle. Pyle identified the other three candidates as Gerry D. Billy of Newark, Ohio; Michael D. William of Selah, Wash., and Joe Sprunk of Albuquerque. Pyle also announced a committee […]

Freedom New Mexico It appears more than one Curry County jail employee has been fired and others have been either demoted, suspended or hit with salary reductions. The information was part of a brief press release issued Friday by County Manager Lance Pyle. Pyle declined to identify employees affected, citing personnel policy. He also declined […]

File photo Curry County officials are hoping a laundry list of policy changes coupled with surprise inspections by the county manager and others will eliminate escapes at the problem-plagued jail. Robin Fornoff Curry County officials are hoping a laundry list of policy changes coupled with surprise inspections by the county manager and others will eliminate […]

I am concerned about public safety — not only as a Curry County commissioner but as a citizen. On Nov. 13, Narcizo Soto escaped from Curry County Detention Center. He was captured and the people responsible for his escape have been or are being punished. Soto has been in our jail for over five months […]

CNJ staff Another Curry County jail employee was notified Monday they are facing termination, according to County Manager Lance Pyle. The employee is the fifth to face being fired since the Nov. 13 escape of inmate Narcizo Soto Jr., 35. A sergeant was fired two days later. Three others were served Friday with notice of […]

CNJ staff A Curry County jail inmate is on the loose after a mental health facility in Roswell released him, according to a press release received by fax Thursday from County Manager Lance Pyle. Quran Wiggins was taken Oct. 7 from the jail to Sunrise Mental Health Center for treatment, the release said. He was […]

CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks Curry County Interim Detention Administrator Tori Sandoval gives a report Tuesday to county commissioners on the status of the detention center regarding on-going training for her staff. By David Stevens and Kevin Wilson: CNJ staff One jail employee has been terminated in connection with Sunday’s jail escape, Curry County Manager […]

CNJ staff photo: Kevin Wilson Officials have cited poor construction of the facility, limitations in organizing inmates within the facility and overcrowding as ongoing reasons for the jail’s problems. By Kevin Wilson and David Stevens At least one Curry County jail employee has been placed on paid administrative leave and “more than one” appears to […]

David Stevens: Freedom editor More than one officer will face disciplinary action in connection with Sunday morning’s Curry County jail escape, and at least one has already been placed on paid administrative leave, county officials said. Interim jail administrator Tori Sandoval said Narcizo Soto Jr., 35, should never have been allowed to participate in the […]

Good morning and welcome to the Freedom New Mexico Wednesday briefing. Jail volunteers Christian Believers is looking for volunteers to help at both the Curry County jail and youth detention center. There’s a training session 6 p.m. Thursday at the Believers headquarters, 209 W. Seventh St. Information: Sistar Yancy at 763-1715 Gala’s on hold Clovis […]

Freedom New Mexico Curry County jail officials violated jail policy when they left an inmate who hanged himself alone for more than an hour on Sept. 26, records show. Aaron Quinones was left alone in a private cell for one hour and 18 minutes, Curry County Undersheriff Wesley Waller said last week. Jail policy, obtained […]

Good morning and welcome to the Freedom New Mexico Thursday briefing: Free art A free solo exhibition, “Sleeping in the Forest, Waking in the Desert,” by Jessie Dodington will be displayed in ENMU’s Golden Library on Tuesday through Oct. 28 during normal library hours. A real classic The annual Milk Jug Classic is 8 a.m. […]

Norwood was asset to county jail I was very surprised to hear that Keith Norwood resigned. I don’t know why he resigned, but I believe he is more of an asset than a liability because he has positively changed the appearance of the Curry County jail, the morale of the staff, and the quality of […]